Anti-theft device including a remote controller with an indicator for indicating an activation time period of a command transmit key

Abstract

An anti-theft device for an automobile includes a base module and a remote controller. The remote controller is operable so as to transmit control signals that are to be received by the base module for controlling operation of the base module, and includes a command transmit key, a processor unit, a transmitter unit, and an indicator unit. The processor unit is coupled to the command transmit key. The transmitter unit is coupled to and controlled by the processor unit so as to transmit the control signals wirelessly. The processor unit controls the transmitter unit so as to transmit the control signals according to mode of activation of the command transmit key. The indicator unit is connected electrically to and controlled by the processor unit to provide an indication immediately after activation of the command transmit key for a predetermined activation time period.

1 . An anti-theft device for an automobile, comprising: 
 a base module; and    a remote controller operable so as to transmit control signals that are to be received by said base module for controlling operation of said base module, said remote controller including 
 a casing,  
 a command transmit key mounted on said casing,  
 a controller circuit disposed in said casing, and including a processor unit coupled to said command transmit key, and a transmitter unit coupled to and controlled by said processor unit so as to transmit the control signals wirelessly, said processor unit controlling said transmitter unit so as to transmit the control signals according to mode of activation of said command transmit key, and  
 an indicator unit connected electrically to and controlled by said processor unit to provide an indication immediately after activation of said command transmit key for a predetermined activation time period.  
   
   
   
       2 . The anti-theft device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control signals include 
 a single first pulse which corresponds to activation of said command transmit key for a first activation time period and which is to be translated by said base module into a first control command,    consecutive ones of a second pulse and the first pulse which correspond to activation of said command transmit key for a second activation time period that is longer than the first activation time period, followed by activation of said command transmit key for the first activation time period, and which are to be translated by said base module into a second control command, and    a consecutive pair of the second pulses which corresponds to two successive activations of said command transmit key each for the second activation time period, and which is to be translated by said base module into a third control command,    wherein the second activation time period is equal to the predetermined activation time period, and the second pulse has a pulse duration longer than that of the first pulse.    
   
   
       3 . The anti-theft device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said processor unit receives from said command transmit key a first signal having a first duration when said command transmit key is activated for a first activation time period, and a second signal having a second duration longer than the first duration when said command transmit key is activated for a second activation time period that is longer than the first activation time period and that is equal to the predetermined activation time period.  
   
   
       4 . The anti-theft device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said command transmit key is a push-button switch.  
   
   
       5 . The anti-theft device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said indicator unit includes a light-emitting diode.  
   
   
       6 . The anti-theft device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said indicator unit includes a vibrating motor.  
   
   
       7 . The anti-theft device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said indicator unit includes a buzzer.  
   
   
       8 . The anti-theft device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said indicator unit includes at least one of a light-emitting diode, a vibrating motor, and a buzzer.  
   
   
       9 . A remote controller operable so as to transmit control signals that are to be received by a base module of an anti-theft device for an automobile so as to control operation of the base module, said remote controller comprising: 
 a casing;    a command transmit key mounted on said casing;    a controller circuit disposed in said casing, and including a processor unit coupled to said command transmit key, and a transmitter unit coupled to and controlled by said processor unit so as to transmit the control signals wirelessly, said processor controlling said transmitter unit so as to transmit the control signals according to mode of activation of said command transmit key; and    an indicator unit connected electrically to and controlled by said processor unit to provide an indication immediately after activation of said command transmit key for a predetermined activation time period.    
   
   
       10 . The remote controller as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the control signals include 
 a single first pulse which corresponds to activation of said command transmit key for a first activation time period and which is to be translated by the base module into a first control command,    consecutive ones of a second pulse and the first pulse which correspond to activation of said command transmit key for a second activation time period that is longer than the first activation time period, followed by activation of said command transmit key for the first activation time period, and which are to be translated by the base module into a second control command, and    a consecutive pair of the second pulses which corresponds to two successive activations of said command transmit key each for the second activation time period, and which is to be translated by the base module into a third control command,    wherein the second activation time period is equal to the predetermined activation time period, and the second pulse has a pulse duration longer than that of the first pulse.    
   
   
       11 . The remote controller as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said processor unit receives from said command transmit key a first signal having a first duration when said command transmit key is activated for a first activation time period, and a second signal having a second duration longer than the first duration when said command transmit key is activated for a second activation time period that is longer than the first activation time period and that is equal to the predetermined activation time period.  
   
   
       12 . The remote controller as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said command transmit key is a push-button switch.  
   
   
       13 . The remote controller as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said indicator unit includes a light-emitting diode.  
   
   
       14 . The remote controller as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said indicator unit includes a vibrating motor.  
   
   
       15 . The remoter controller as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said indicator unit includes a buzzer.  
   
   
       16 . The remote controller as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said indicator unit includes at least one of a light-emitting diode, a vibrating motor, and a buzzer.